Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
4010–25K
4525–50K
1350–75K
475–100K
5100–150K
0150K+
468 reports with mileage · 365 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Visibility/wiper. Review the 370 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 134 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 106 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
37 crash reports11 fire reports16 injury reports
What owners actually said
833 reports
Mileage unknown · Sep 25, 2022
Fuel/propulsion System
We were driving to our summer vacation destination, which was about a 2-hour drive from where we currently live, when it happened. We had been driving for about an hour now and I was in the left lane going approximately 60 MPH when out of nowhere all of the warning lights flashed on my dashboard, including the "check engine ligh…
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We were driving to our summer vacation destination, which was about a 2-hour drive from where we currently live, when it happened. We had been driving for about an hour now and I was in the left lane going approximately 60 MPH when out of nowhere all of the warning lights flashed on my dashboard, including the "check engine light". Then, within seconds I went from about 60 MPH down to 30 MPH down to 10 MPH with no control of the acceleration. I quickly and safely had to pull over to the right lane, which was a bit challenging. Thankfully, I managed to pull off to the side of the road avoiding cars that were zooming past me. At the time, I had no idea what had happened. I tried to depress the gas pedal, but nothing happened. So then I decided to turn the car off. I opened the hood of the car to see if it was something obvious, but didn't see anything. I went to go turn the car back on, but it wouldn't start. We were left stranded on a fast highway. I had to call a tow truck to take my 2019 Subaru Forester to the closet Subaru dealership.This all happened on a Sunday when most places are closed. I receive a call a few days later stating that it was a fuel pump failure and pressure valve malfunction and some of the parts are on backorder. It's been a little over two months now and I still don't have my car back. I keep calling about every 2 weeks for an update, but they keep pushing back the ETA of the part arrival. Last time I called, they stated there was no update and they don't know when the part will come in. Looking back, there were no warning signs that could have lead me to believe that I had a fuel pump problem. I took my car to all of the scheduled maintenance and completed the one recall I had. My car ran great and nothing was wrong with it until that day on the fast highway. I was thankful that we were able to pull off to the side of road in a matter of seconds safely with cars going 60 MPH.
NHTSA ODI #11486282
Mileage unknown · Sep 25, 2022
Unknown Or Other
The following has happened 3 times in the last year. While stopped and waiting for the light to change, my foot on the brake, damp outside, car stalls, the engine shuts off, eye sight flashes on dash stating eye sight off. I have to put the car into "park" and restart the engine. This is quite scary! I have taken the car to…
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The following has happened 3 times in the last year. While stopped and waiting for the light to change, my foot on the brake, damp outside, car stalls, the engine shuts off, eye sight flashes on dash stating eye sight off. I have to put the car into "park" and restart the engine. This is quite scary! I have taken the car to 2 different mechanics to check the battery - which shows the battery is 100% okay. The contact has stated that when the problem occurs, they have to put the vehicle in park and restart the engine.
NHTSA ODI #11486256
Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 2022
Electrical SystemEngine
when driving and stopped at a light the car died, I had to put it in park and restart it , this has happened on 4 different occasions, and I've taken it to the dealer and was told nothing checked out as failing, also, the radio has gone wild on occasion, dialing contacts in my phone numerous times, and me being unable to stop it…
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when driving and stopped at a light the car died, I had to put it in park and restart it , this has happened on 4 different occasions, and I've taken it to the dealer and was told nothing checked out as failing, also, the radio has gone wild on occasion, dialing contacts in my phone numerous times, and me being unable to stop it. was told that heat and temperatures could cause the electronics to shut down or burn. I feel that I was in danger of getting hit because these things occurred while in traffic, and I had no control over the car, the system was acting out on its own.
NHTSA ODI #11486068
Mileage unknown · Sep 22, 2022
Electrical System
The car's battery is unable to start the car. If the car isn't used for one or two days, the battery power is drained so low that I can't start the car. This problem began very soon after purchase and has not gotten better. The dealership told me I was keeping the keys too close to the car and that was causing the issue. How…
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The car's battery is unable to start the car. If the car isn't used for one or two days, the battery power is drained so low that I can't start the car. This problem began very soon after purchase and has not gotten better. The dealership told me I was keeping the keys too close to the car and that was causing the issue. However when the keys are kept far away the problem continues. I'm also having a problem with lifting the back hatch. Sometimes it just beeps and doesn't open
NHTSA ODI #11485902
Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2022
EnginePower Train
The problem seems to be a faulty Thermo Control Valve Assembly. When I started the car, the dashboard lit up with several warning signs including the check engine light and 6 or 7 other warning lights. I also received texts and emails from Subaru saying to have my vehicle serviced ASAP. My 2019 Forester only has about 16,000 mi…
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The problem seems to be a faulty Thermo Control Valve Assembly. When I started the car, the dashboard lit up with several warning signs including the check engine light and 6 or 7 other warning lights. I also received texts and emails from Subaru saying to have my vehicle serviced ASAP. My 2019 Forester only has about 16,000 miles on the odometer. Continuing to drive would cause damage to the engine and potentially the car could abruptly stop on its own. Our car has been in the service department of our dealership for five weeks. I just received a call this morning that we had to return the loaner rental today, but that the thermal control valve is not expected until mid- or late-October. (It is now September 20.) I researched several Subaru blogs, and it seems that many others are having the same issue with their Foresters. Our dealership has five automobiles in their service department waiting for this part (and this is only one dealership). I also researched the Subaru service bulletins and see that they have a newly-designed thermo control valve assembly (same part number as the old one but a different date etched into the part). Apparently this has been an issue known by Subaru since at least September 2021 when their service bulletin came out. It seems that with so many owners having the same issues, there should be a recall and part replacement without cost to the owners.
NHTSA ODI #11485552
Mileage unknown · Sep 18, 2022
Electrical SystemEngine
Vehicle will not start after it has rained or if auto shut down occurs while it is raining. Vehicle has to be jump started if raining. Might start if “dried out” or left in dry conditions.
NHTSA ODI #11485090
Mileage unknown · Sep 17, 2022
Electrical System
Battery has died
NHTSA ODI #11485001
Mileage unknown · Sep 16, 2022
Electrical System
Part #21319AA010 COOLANT CONTROL VALVE ASSEMBLY. THERE IS A HUGE LINE 25 CUSTOMERS FOR THE SAME PART AT THE SUBARU DEALER I PURCHSAED THE 2019 BASE FORESTER FROM. CODE HAS BEEN READ. CODE P2682. VEHICLE HAS 50000 MILES. THE PART IS $435 PLUS INSTALLATION. NO LIGHT ON DASH, NO WARNING AT ALL BEFORE THE FAILURE CODE.
NHTSA ODI #11484851
Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 2022
Electrical System
Something drained my battery completely dead (to less than 1V) overnight. The car was locked and the key fob wasn't near the car. In fact I keep it in a Faraday bag. The battery is less than one year old.
NHTSA ODI #11484419
Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 2022
Electrical System
While driving, the vehicle stopped driving midride. I attempted to turn off the car and restart the car, but it had issues. This happened on 3 separate occasions. I believe the battery was being overdrawn. Two times this happened on the highway and I lost the ability to stay accelerated. I have had the dealer inspect it twice an…
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While driving, the vehicle stopped driving midride. I attempted to turn off the car and restart the car, but it had issues. This happened on 3 separate occasions. I believe the battery was being overdrawn. Two times this happened on the highway and I lost the ability to stay accelerated. I have had the dealer inspect it twice and they found no issues. Shortly after breaking down the third time, a separate car repair shop tested the battery and it tested good. The check engine light appeared and made mention of the Eyesight system.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Subaru Crosstrek, 2019 Crosstrek Hybrid, and 2019 Forester vehicles. The rear stabilizer bracket bolts may loosen and detach.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Missing bolts may allow the rear stabilizer bracket to shift, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will retorque and replace any missing bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 17, 2021. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRD-21.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Crosstrek, Forester, and Ascent vehicles. The aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve can separate, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, resulting in a loss of power while driving.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the PCV valve, free of charge. If the PCV valve has separated and the components cannot be found, the short block engine will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began January 31, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUW-08.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Forester and Crosstrek vehicles. A connector inside the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) unit may short circuit resulting in a loss of electric power steering assistance.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Loss of power steering assist would require higher steering effort, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: None of the affected vehicles have been sold yet. Subaru has notified dealers and they will inspect the steering gearbox, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 7, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUC-88.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗